Chumby
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The Chumby is an embedded computer consumer product (made by a company of the same name) intended to provide user-friendly Internet and LAN access via a wireless Wi-Fi connection. It is intended for home use and appears to consist primarily of a small touch-screen in a soft fabric package. It is lightweight and easily moved. It is powered by AC power and turns off if unplugged and moved. In addition to other uses, it can be used as an alarm clock, a weather display, a music or video player.
Networking
A Wi-Fi interface is built-in, enabling the device to access media files in the local network and, if available, an Internet gateway.
Hardware
The Chumby is designed as open source hardware, with schematics, PCB layouts and packaging/outerware designs available.
The device is based on a 350 MHz ARM9-based Freescale i.MX21[1] controller, has 64 MB of SDRAM, 64 MB of NAND flash ROM, a 320×240 3.5 inch touchscreen TFT LCD running at 12 frames per second, stereo 2 W speakers, an audio output, an integrated microphone, two USB 2.0 ports, and integrated WiFi. Stock sensors on a Chumby include a bend sensor for squeeze-based user interface features and a sudden motion sensor (accelerometer). Future releases for the Chumby may include a "Hacker Sensor Package", with motor drivers, analog and digital inputs, and outputs to make the device more flexible.
Software
The primary intended use for a Chumby device is to play a set of user-customizable widgets, small Adobe Flash animations that deliver real-time information. The software for the Chumby automatically updates when something new becomes available. The updates come from the free access to the Chumby network. Flash is provided by an embedded version of Adobe Flash Player. The animations also have the ability to control and interact with the low-level hardware, thereby enabling functionality such as smart alarm clocks that bring the hardware out of sleep, a web based picture viewer, a web based camera, online RSS feeds, and physical user interface features such gesture recognition through squeezing the soft housing. Widgets are available from the product's website.
Chumby units run on a modified Linux kernel. Chumby relies on a modified BitTorrent client to upgrade the open-source portions of its firmware.
Multimedia Limitations
The device does not currently support GIF or PNG images with future development editions not supporting Sorenson or On2 video playback. Current Chumby units support JPEG images, but not progressive scan JPEG images.
Testing
The Chumby premiered on August 25, 2006 at Foo Camp and was released to around 100 Alpha release testers at the event. A number of other Chumbies were released to applicants who proved themselves able to test and contribute to the Flash and hardware elements of the Chumby. These second release Chumbies were released between Foo Camp '06 and July of '07. In July, 50 beta release Chumbies became offered through another application process on the companies' website. These 50 Chumby owners were expected to take part in feedback and grass roots internet marketing of the product. Chumby Industries Inc has released the Chumby to an "insider launch" to customers who have signed up for notification. As of February 19, 2008 Chumby is widely available at The Chumby Store. On February 25, 2008, the firm officially launched availability of its device on its web site[2]. International distribution of the Chumby is uncertain as it has not yet been tested for each major regulatory regime.
See also
References
- Dave White (2006-08-28). "Chumby: portable Wi-Fi device you can make your own". Mobile Magazine.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Erica Ogg (2006-08-28). "Wi-Fi clock radio cuddles up to hackers". Gadget Blog. CNET Networks Inc.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Jack Schofield (2006-08-31). "What is a Chumby and why would I want to hack it?". Guardian Unlimited.
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